Happy Thanlsgiving

What are you thankful for?

Speak Love

Speak Love
By Annie F. Downs

About the book:
You’ve heard, ‘Think before you speak’ a hundred times, and probably shrugged it off just like that other insightful phrase, ‘Your face will freeze like that if you’re not careful.’ But unlike a facial expression, our words do stick around. Which means everything you say—from what tell your friends, whisper about your enemies, post online, mutter to yourself, or even say to the celebrity you ran into at the coffee shop—carries a whole lot of power. The question is, are you ready to use that power to make a real difference? Because the truth is, you could be part of the first generation who uses their words to build up and not tear down, and even kill the mean girl mentality. Through very funny stories, Scripture, and a real understanding of the good, bad, and ugly ways we can use our words, Annie Downs explores the difference you can make when you speak love to others, to God, and even to yourself. Because when you speak love, you speak life. And that’s what matters.

My thoughts:

I love Annie Downs. Her blog, her books, her tweets. All of it, she is real and relatable. I don't know how to describe "Speak Love." Its awesome and something we don't see often. The best way to talk about it is to let Annie herself as she did so wonderfully through the enter month of October posting about ways to speak love everyday.

31 Ways to Speak Love

Rating: a whole gem parcel

Want to paint? Kat can teach you!

Love whimsical art and mixed media art but want to paint better people? You can paint, Kat’ll show you how. (No beret required.) If you can shush about how you can't even draw a stick figure then you can learn how to draw a gorgeous face.

Join her Let's Draw and Paint! Gorgeous Girls, a year-long art class aimed at novice artists who want to learn whimsical/mixed media painting with a foundation in Fine Art techniques. You'll spend a year immersed in whimsical art lessons guaranteed to help you paint better people, if you do the work Gorgeous Girls starts January 1st, 2014 at the Early Bird price of $197.
Need more info the class? ( Gorgeous girls 2014

Sisterchicks Take Flight

Sisterchicks Take Flight
By Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannah

About the book:
Spread your wings and really go places with Take Flight , the first devotional/ponder/prayer/make-it-what-you-need book in the Sisterchicks in the Word series! Robin Jones Gunn and her Sisterchick, Cindy Hannan, offer a collection of fresh, insightful devotions that will rejuvenate the quiet time gone dry. Along with key Scripture verses, they kick in travel tips, wisdom (such as, when a woman knows she’s loved, she can do anything ), Sisterchick locators (find me the best scone in the world!), and more. Complete with ideas for Sisterchickin’ (slang for Sisterchicking; activities for Sisterchicks to do together, as in, “Don’t bother us now; we’re Sisterchickin’!” Not to be confused with Sisterchicken). New. Deep. Different. Fun!

Ready to spread your wings and really go places? No more flitting. No more dawdling. It’s time to dig deep into God’s boundless grace and take flight!

Maybe you’re stuck in a quiet time gone dry. Or perhaps you’re an early bird, eager to get the worm. For every Sisterchick seeking a fresh time with God, this devotional/ponder/prayer/excuse-to-gather-together book will send you soaring. Straight from Robin’s nest and Cindy’s perch, you’ll find a collection of insightful devotions, key Scripture verses, and wit ’n whimsy wisdom for the journey, along with Sisterchickin’ suggestions, space to pen a peep or two from you, and more!

My thoughts:

Have you ever wondered what a Sisterchick is? It is: A friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you're being a brat.

Robin Jones Gunn wrote a while series of books about them (you should check them out they're great!) and has now given is a devotional filled with the God stories she loves to tell.

Now, Robin and her real life Sisterchick Cindy Hannan bring a devotional packed of true Sisterchick moments, reflections of how they relate to Gods word, and challenges to explore with your own sisterchicks while drawing closer to The Lord.

This devotion was everything I imagined it be and as warm as all of Robin Jones Gunn's other books filled with whit 'n whimsy. Grab a copy and be ready to take flight.

*I received this book free for review from Waterbrook- Multnomah Publishers*

Favorite Quote:
"You need a new dream. A fresh start. Something to look forward to.
"
Rating: a whole gem parcel

The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet

The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet
By Stephanie Morrill

About the book:
For once, Ellie Sweet has it all together. Her hair now curls instead of fuzzes, she’s tamed the former bad-boy, Chase Cervantes (she has, right?), and her debut novel will hit shelves in less than a year. Even her ex-friends are leaving her alone. Well, except for Palmer Davis, but it can’t be helped that he works at her grandmother’s nursing home.

Life should feel perfect. And yet, it’s not that easy. Ellie’s editor loves her, but the rest of the publishing biz? Not so much. And they’re not shy about sharing their distrust over Ellie’s unlikely debut.

Ellie has always been able to escape reality in the pages of her novel, but with the stress of major edits and rocky relationships, her words dry up. In fiction, everything always comes together, but in real life, it seems to Ellie that hard work isn’t always enough, the people you love can’t always be trusted…and the dream-come-true of publishing her book could be the biggest mistake she’s made yet.

My thoughts:

The first Ellie Sweet book was fantastic and now the second one, The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet, fits right along with it.


What I like most is that Ellie is so everyday, in a good way! There's something every one can find about her to relate to. My favorite part was right in the beginning actually when she's going to youth group with Chase and she's thinking about how it's so awesome this is her life. Like she's arrived and nothing could ever take her down again because she's made it to what she thinks she wants. But then the book evolves as she sees you never arrive because we're always changing and new dreams emerge.

Ellie shows such growth in the on many different levels. She battles the ups and downs of relationships while learning forgiveness along will the standards she will and won't set for herself.

Grab both books in the Ellie Sweet series. It's unlikely that'll you be able to put them down.


Rating: a whole gem parcel!



Check out one Sweet deal with the first Ellie Sweet book on sale for $0.99

Paige Torn

Paige Torn
By Erynn Mangum

About the book:
Everyone knows they can count on Paige Alder. But between volunteering at church, putting in overtime at work, and helping her best friend plan an anniversary party, she's lucky to grab a cheese stick for dinner. Paige can't even remember the last time she had a few minutes to relax or dig into God's Word. Then she meets laid-back Tyler, an attractive, Jesus-loving guy. Will he be able to help Paige get her priorities on track?

My thoughts:
Erynn Mangum has a real cohesiveness in all of her books, "Paige Torn" is no different. All the main characters seems to be striving their best to have a better, more consistent relationship with The Lord. A character we can never have enough of because it feels like they are just like one of us.

Paige feels compelled to do as much for others a she can. Everyone in her life is having a big event and everyone depends on her for one thing or another. Paige finds herself running on empty and not saying no.

Paige is so relatable, I think anyone who has ever struggled to say no will relate to her and the lessons learned. "Paige Torn" is a fast and light read. I can't wait for the next one in the series.

Rating: 5 carats

Splitting Harriet

Splitting Harriet
By Tamara Leigh

About the book:
Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.

Then there was the spiked hair–the shade of which changed monthly–“colorful” language that can’t be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.

Did I mention I’m also a preacher’s kid? That’s right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.

Today my life is all about “lead me not into temptation.” When I’m not serving as Women’s Ministry Director at my father’s church, I’m working at Gloria’s Morning Café. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the café, keep my Jelly Belly habit under control, and to never again hurt the people I love. No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You’d think I was finally on the right track.

But since my dad’s replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our “dying” church, things aren’t working out as planned. And now this “consultant” says I’m in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is anyway? With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants, the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that’s missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought… But if he thinks he’s going to take me for a ride on that 1298cc machine of his, he can think again. Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she’s going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!(less)

My thoughts:

" Splitting Harriet" is a lot of fun to read. I love have Tamara Leigh continues her witty voice from Perfecting Kate.

Harriet grew up a preachers kid and then went off on her own. Know she has returned to her faith and is working in her fathers former church. A the director of Woman's ministry she is trying to make sure the church isn't changing too much. Yes, Harriet wants to make sure the church doesn't become too contemporary!

However, the rest of the church doesn't see it her way and decides to hire a consultants to change things up. Maddox McCray shows up and everything becomes awkward, he has the nerve to tell Harriet that she needs to change.

My favorite part of this whole book was the quirky sense of humor while presenting a convicting message.

*I received this book free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats